Read Runners discussion
Library Acquisitions


I subscribe to the Fairfax County Library, Virginia. They charge $27 a year and allow you to borrow ebooks and audiobooks. Smallish collection, but for such a small sum, totally worth it!

How has ur experience of audiobooks?

Both were cozy places to be in, and I was allowed to spend hours together just handling the books and going through the blurbs.
Here there are no good libraries except for my personal library.
I sorely miss a friendly library. :(

Paakhi, I think I'm too restless for audiobooks. I haven't finished even one so far. :P

Sumit I think you should try some while you read the same book. it is a great experience. I think first experience depends on the narration. My first book was The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. You must try!
Try listening to the Harry potter series, there are some great reviews about its narration and voice modulation. :)

Currently I am a member of a small local library in my locality, which deals primarily in bestsellers. Also I am a member of Just Books, which does have a reasonably good collection and I am quite happy. Additionally, like Smitha I have my own library collection, which I am sure will last me for some time, given that I am fond of consistently adding to it :)

It works for me as I can get books delivered and don't have to worry about return dates! I am extremely forgetful and usually end up owing quite a lot of money in late fees :P :P

I will check this website out! It sounds really good! You know i have a kindle but I love reading from physical copies. The smell of the pages..aahh!! I wonder if there are soooo many book lovers why good libraries shut down? :/

1. Kwench - free to use for us. They deliver books to the office reception and collect them back too.
2. Books 24x7 (only for business books) - the challenge is that reading is possibly online ONLY. :| So, these books are good as references, but not really read-worthy.

Yeah I also like physical books as its fun to read them. At least from my personal experience, libraries here have shut down due to paucity of funds or in some cases lack of members. People are increasingly moving towards ebooks and therefore don't really visit libraries here.
Also, there are a few like me who prefer libraries that allow me to read at my own pace and return books without adhering to a tight schedule. While I may return it on a daily basis sometimes, there are times, when work intervenes and I am not able to finish. This causes problems, especially when the library does not allow re-issuing etc. or puts a heavy fine on late return!! So, library memberships dwindle and they are forced to close down.
At least, this has been my personal experience.

1. Kwench - free to use for us. They deliver books to the office reception and collect them back too.
2. ..."
Sumit, Where do you stay in Delhi? I wish i had a office that subscribes to books for their employees for free! Do they have any vacancy for a multi-talented girl?

Whay yaar Sri!! I am serious!! My thirst for book is unquenchable! I got a scolding from mom too after yesterday's purchases! :(


Yeah I also like physical books as its fun to read them. At least from my personal experience, libraries here have shut down due to paucity of funds or ..."
Yea, I couldn't agree more with you on this.

Aww HP. But that's such a strategic plan...to befriend a librarian!! But how do you read books now? Purchase or e book?

*fears the arrival of Ishita on this thread*
Paakhi, I live in Gurgaon, which is like a graveyard of books. Let me chronicle the journey of bookstores in Gurgaon over the last few years:
1. Reliance Timeout - generally crappy, but some good books at really good prices. Poor cataloguing and horrible staff. SHUT DOWN!
2. Landmark - good collection, very ill-informed staff. Gradually moved on to devoting more space to toys and stationery and reduced the book collection. Eventually SHUT DOWN. (Last day, they were offering 2-3 books for 100/- each and the staff members were ACTUALLY PLAYING FOOTBALL in one of the areas. :|)
3. Crossword - started out nicely, but their location was too out of the way. SHUT AGES AGO.
4. Cafe Turtle - Interesting coffee + book shop run by a horrible, snarky lady. I was trying to buy 10 books from her for about 4000/- (at MRP!) and she offered me a lousy 3% discount. They shut soon after. (I wanted to do a tribal dance outside the store when the movers were carrying out the furniture.)
But yes, Paakhi - I can refer you in my company. *salivates at the idea of a fat referral bonus and dreams of spending it all on some cool gadget*

And I thought we were friends! but all you want is a bonus to buy a cool gadget! Hmph!!

Also, we'll be friends if/when you accept my friend request, which isn't accompanied by a 'cover letter'.*
*Sample cover letter:
"Hai deer, will u do frandsheep me?"

@Paakhi - Life doesn't offer you free lunches my friend.. its best you accept this fact early in life :P :P

@Paakhi - Sadly they aren't original quotes!! :P"
Borrowed from Sidhu paaji then?

LOL.. Subah se koi nahi mila kya?? :P :P

No, my 'deer frand'. They were never separated. They still stay in touch and share quotes.
For the reference of all those who have no idea what Sidhu style ROFLs are, please see this: http://youtu.be/kLQDIGc0RTc
Hey, fellow mod - AM I SPAMMING? *shudders*

@Paakhi - No.. this was from another source.. Psst.. one should never reveal one's sources :P :P
And yes mod buddy - YOU ARE SPAMMING!!!

No, my 'deer frand'. They were never separated. They still stay in touch and share quotes.
For the reference..."
ROFL!!

@Paakhi - No.. this was from another source.. Psst.. one should never reveal one's sources :P :P
And yes mod buddy - YOU ARE SPAMMING!!!"
you are street smart eh!!

I got Adam, one afternoon by Italo Calvino
and The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman from library for this month.
Has anyone read any of these??

As for Italo Calvino, I have his other book, which I have been wanting to read for a really long time but have been lazy till now.

About Neil Gaiman.. does he use magic realism?

Sumit's a better person to ask about Neil Gaiman. I think he has read more books by the author.
About Calvino - As I said, I am yet to read anything but I have heard the same thing. However, am planning to read If on a Winter's Night a Traveler sometime this year. So lets see.

Sumit's a bette..."
Sri I too recently added the book to my TBR, despite so many other books by Calvino, it does not have If On a Winter's Night Traveler

Italo Calvino's Italian Folktales -- Paakhi this one was inspired by you :)
Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace -- Seems a lot like Burial Rites, at least in the beginning and the premise. Am curious to see the execution and the story! This is thanks to Smitha who recommended this book to me when I asked for Margaret Atwood recommendations :)
And
Alexander McCall Smith's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Collection

Italo Calvino's Italian Folktales -- Paakhi this one was inspired by you :)
Margaret At..."
Great Choices Sri... Smitha too recommended Alias Grace to me.. I wish we could do a buddy read with you, but I have too many books to read in Oct..sigh :(

Don't worry.. I doubt I will be finishing either of these books soon. Am glad I don't have a fixed return date on these books :P
If you want, we can do Alias Grace in November and I can finish the other books in the meanwhile :) Let me know :)

Italo Calvino's Italian Folktales -- Paakhi this one was inspired by you :)
Margaret At..."
Hope you both like it. It was a bit sombre and slow paced. But I relish such books.

This month i got The Body by Hanif Kureishi
and Remains of the day by Ishiguro. I am almost 50% through my first book. Liking it so far. And i wanted some opinion on Ishiguro's writing. I heard abt his work a lot, never read him though, was wondering if anyone here has read him and give me an idea abt setting my expectations.

The Night Circus
44 Scotland Street
Boom!
Tears of the Giraffe
From the other library I recently got
Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog
and am on the wait list for Hyperion.
Happy reading times for me :)

[book:The Ni..."
Hi Srividya, i have the Night Circus in kindle edition and on audio as well, its a very good book as far as its review goes. I also have 44 Scotland Street in paperback, heard good things about this author as well. I have read Marley and Me..its a great book! I am so envious of you having a membership of British Library....remember our conversation about my plans to visit it and write to u about it....bleh. ..it never happened :( When do you have to return these books?


Rachel, which one is that? I'll see if they have a better collection and sign up there instead. :)
P.S. It is unheard of in India to have libraries that lend anything except physical books and in some cases DVDs. We NEED e-libraries.
Books mentioned in this topic
The World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones (other topics)Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage (other topics)
Lolita (other topics)
Hyperion (other topics)
Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World’s Worst Dog (other topics)
More...
All book addicts are smart and intelli! That's a fact! And all bookworms are miserable too as we are always short of money to buy books. Intelligent people like us subscribe to libraries. So why not share something about our libraries and monthly acquistions.
Talk about your personal library, school library, dad's library, online or local ones. Share pictures and monthly hauls
I think it will be fun!